Recirculating filling valve assembly

ABSTRACT

A filling valve assembly including a support adapted for being operably fixed to a filling machine and through which a liquid is conveyed from the filling machine. The filling valve assembly includes a valve subassembly interchangeably attached to the support, the valve subassembly and support having integrated fluid passages in fluid communication when the valve subassembly is attached to the support. At least a portion of the liquid received by the support from the filling machine is conveyed to the valve subassembly, and at least a portion of the liquid received by the valve subassembly from the support is selectively dispensed from the valve subassembly. The fluid passages of the support and the valve subassembly are connected through fluid openings located in respective interfacing surfaces of the valve subassembly and the support, when the valve subassembly is attached to the support. The filling valve assembly may be a recirculating filling valve assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS FROM WHICH PRIORITY IS CLAIMED

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/065,031, filed on Feb. 8, 2008 (Attorney Docket No.065111.00122), which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to a beverage filling valve capable ofrecirculating fluid.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Filling valve apparatuses for beverage filling machines are known in theart for injecting liquids into beverage containers. Generally, a fillingvalve apparatus is used with a beverage filling machine (not shown).Beverage filling machines are known in the art for injecting a fluidinto a container (not shown), such as injecting a beverage into a bottleor can. The beverage filling machine often uses many filling valveapparatuses for filling many containers simultaneously. Typically, aconveyor (not shown) is used to bring the container to the filling valveapparatus. The filling valve apparatus then descends over the containerand fills the container with the beverage. Once filled, the fillingvalve apparatus lifts up and the conveyor moves the container away fromthe filling valve apparatus.

However, as the filling valve apparatus is used, certain parts of thefilling valve apparatus may begin to wear. For instance, the liquidbeing injected into the beverage container with the filling valveapparatus may corrode certain parts of the filling valve apparatus. Oncecorroded, those parts of the filling valve apparatus must be replacedbefore the beverage filling machine may continue operating. Replacingthe corroded parts of the filling valve apparatus can be difficult andtime consuming since this often requires removing and replacing theentire filling valve apparatus, which takes considerable time. Also, thebeverage filling machine typically incorporates many filling valveapparatuses, and replacing one filling valve apparatus requires stoppingthe entire beverage filling machine. When filling large quantities ofbottles each day, stopping the beverage filling machine to replace thefilling valve apparatus reduces production and results in lost profits.

Therefore, a filling valve apparatus may include at least one releasemechanism to quickly replace corroded portions of the filling valveapparatus. Generally, the release mechanism couples an interchangeablevalve portion to another portion of the filling valve apparatus, suchthat the interchangeable valve portion may be selectively removed fromthe apparatus with the release mechanism to facilitate its repair orreplacement.

Recirculating filling valve apparatuses are typically used for fillingcontainers with a liquid that is either hot or cold, and is continuallycirculated through the valve apparatus and a heat exchanger in fluidcommunication with the valve apparatus, to continually maintain adesired temperature even when not being dispensed from the valveapparatus and/or injected into the container through the valveapparatus. Recirculating filling valve apparatuses may also be typicallyused when the liquid may congeal, or cause other concerns if allowed toremain in the filling valve apparatus between injections rather thancaused to continually flow through the apparatus.

It is desirable to provide a filling valve apparatus with such a releasemechanism, and further, to provide a filling valve apparatus in whichthe valve subassembly may be interchangeably removed as a module, forquickly replacing a valve subassembly requiring replacement or repairwith one in proper condition, and to provide the valve subassembly withimproved means for quickly accessing and replacing components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a filling valve assembly including asupport adapted for being operably fixed to a filling machine andthrough which liquid is conveyed from the filling machine. The fillingvalve assembly includes a valve subassembly interchangeably attached tothe support, the valve subassembly and support having integrated fluidpassages in fluid communication when the valve subassembly is attachedto the support. At least a portion of the liquid received by the supportfrom the filling machine is conveyed to the valve subassembly, and atleast a portion of the liquid received by the valve subassembly from thesupport is selectively dispensed from the valve subassembly. The fluidpassages of the support and the valve subassembly are connected throughfluid openings located in respective interfacing surfaces of the valvesubassembly and the support, when the valve subassembly is attached tothe support. The filling valve assembly may be a recirculating valveassembly.

The present invention also provides a filling valve assembly including asupport fixed to a filling machine, and a valve subassembly selectivelymounted to the support, at least a portion of the liquid received by thevalve subassembly from the filling machine being selectively dispensedfrom the valve subassembly when the valve subassembly is mounted to thesupport and in fluid communication with the filling machine. The valvesubassembly and the support have respectively interengagable featuresthrough the engagement of which the valve subassembly is mounted to thesupport. These respectively interengageable features include a lipprovided on one of the valve subassembly and the support, and a notchinto which the lip is received when the valve subassembly is mounted tothe support provided on the other of the valve subassembly and thesupport. These respectively interengageable features further include atab provided on one of the valve subassembly and the support, and alatch provided on the other of the valve subassembly and the support,the tab and latch being selectively engaged when the lip is received inthe notch. The valve subassembly is mounted to the support through theengagement of the latch and the tab. The filling valve assembly may be arecirculating valve assembly.

The present invention also provides a filling valve assembly including avalve body having an end and an opening at the valve body end, and anelongate valve stem disposed within the valve body, the valve stemhaving a first end and an opposite second end and being installed intoand removed from the valve body through the valve body opening. Thevalve stem is longitudinally movable within the valve body along acentral axis, the flow of a liquid received in the valve body, from thevalve body through the valve body opening, being controlled in responseto longitudinal movement of the valve stem. A neck slide is disposed atthe valve body end and is laterally movable relative to the centralaxis. The neck slide has selective locked and first unlocked positions,and the neck slide and valve body have respectively interengagingfeatures through which the neck slide is retained to the valve body inthe neck slide locked and unlocked positions. The filling valve assemblyalso includes a removable exit cone disposed at the valve body end, theexit cone covering the valve body opening, with liquid flow from thevalve body through the valve body opening being through the exit cone.The neck slide and the exit cone have respectively interengagingfeatures through which the exit cone is retained to the valve body andthe neck slide in the neck slide locked position, and the exit cone isseparable from the valve body and neck slide in the neck slide firstunlocked position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filling valve assembly in accordancewith the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a transparent side view of the filling valve assembly;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the filling valve assembly;

FIG. 4 is another side view of the filling valve assembly;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the filling valve assembly with a valvesubassembly detached from a support;

FIG. 6A is a side view of the valve subassembly;

FIG. 6B is a fragmentary perspective view of the valve subassembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the support with a latch in an unlockedposition;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support with the latch in a lockedposition;

FIG. 9 is a under-side view of the latch in the unlocked position with atab of a valve body spaced therefrom;

FIG. 10 is an under-side view of the latch in the unlocked position withthe tab disposed therein;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the latch in the locked position securingthe tab of the valve body;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the filling valve assembly;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the filling valve assembly with anexit cone detached therefrom;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the filling valve assembly withthe exit cone detached therefrom;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the filling valve assembly withthe exit cone detached and a valve stem released from the valve body;

FIGS. 16-19 are under-side views of the filling valve assemblyillustrating the operation of a neck slide;

FIGS. 20A-20B are various views of a tension plug;

FIGS. 21A-21B are various views of a valve stem tip;

FIG. 22 is a transparent view of an actuator;

FIG. 23 is a transparent view of a recirculation device;

FIG. 24A is a bottom view of the neck slide;

FIG. 24B is a partial cross-sectional view of the neck slide along line24B-24B of FIG. 24A; and

FIG. 24C is an end view of the neck slide.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and may herein be described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description arenot intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed,but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

Elements shown in more than one Figure that may be similarly configuredhave been indicated using the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, a filling valveassembly 25 is generally shown in FIGS. 1-3. The filling valve assembly25 includes a valve subassembly 26 that is selectively mounted to asupport 28. The valve subassembly 26 in turn includes a valve body 30with an actuator 32 and a recirculation device 34 mounted to the valvebody 30. An exit cone 36 is also releasably attached to the valve body30. A valve stem 38 having a stem tip 40 is selectively mounted withinthe valve body 30 to the actuator 32.

As shown in FIGS. 4-11, the valve subassembly 26 is capable of beingefficiently and quickly removed from or installed onto the support 28without the use of tools, thereby facilitating the modularinterchangeability of valve subassembly 26 relative to support 28,promoting quick replacement of valve subassemblies requiring repair,minimizing production downtime.

In particular, the support 28 includes a latch 42 that engages a tab 44on the valve body 30. As perhaps shown best in FIGS. 6-8, the support 28includes a dovetail notch 46 with a pair of pins 48 extending transverseto the notch 46, and valve body 30 includes the tab 44 as discussedabove and a lower dovetail lip 52. Referring to FIG. 6B, lower dovetaillip 52 includes a pair of slots 54 that mate with the pins 48 of thesupport 28. Specifically, the lower dovetail lip 52 and slots 54 of thevalve body 30 engage and align with the dovetail notch 46 and pins 48 ofthe support 28 when the valve subassembly 26 is disposed on the support28. Once inserted onto the notch 46 of the support 28, with slots 54seated onto pins 48, the valve subassembly 26 is rocked toward thesupport 28 until interfacing surfaces 50 and 51 of support 28 and valvebody 30 are brought together. Tab 44 of the valve body 30 is thenengaged by the latch 42, securing the valve subassembly 26 to support28. Thus, it can now be readily understood that the interengagement ofdovetail notch 46 and dovetail lip 52 acts to relatively positioninterfacing surfaces 50 and 51 vertically, and the interengagement ofslots 54 and pins 48 acts to relatively position interfacing surfaces 50and 51 horizontally. It can now be further readily understood that theinterengagement of latch 42 and tab 44 holds interfacing surfaces 50 and51 in operative position, and valve subassembly 26 is attached tosupport 28, through the engagement of latch 42 and tab 44.

As best shown in FIGS. 7-11, the latch 42 can rotate on the support 28.The latch 42 includes an opening 56 for receiving the tab 44 of thevalve body 30. The latch 42 has an arcuate interior 57 with a cam 58having a sloped configuration. The tab 44 extends into the arcuateinterior 57 of latch 42 through latch opening 56, and has an arcuateshaped engagement surface 59 for being slidably engaged by cam 58 withinthe arcuate interior of the latch 42 when latch 42 is moved to itslocked position. Movement of the latch 42 from the unlocked position(FIGS. 7, 9 and 10) to the locked position (FIGS. 8 and 11) draws thevalve body 30 into close contact with the support 28, bringing theirrespective interfacing surfaces 51, 50, into abutment. The arcuate shapeof the engagement surface 59 on tab 44 is sloped in such a manner tocause this movement of the valve body 30 relative to the support 28. Thecam 58 of latch 42 acting on surface 59 of tab 44 wedges the tab 44between the latch 42 and support 28.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, surface 50 of the support 28 alsoincludes the openings of fluid lines or passages 60, 62, 64, and 66integrated into support 28. These fluid passages include air passages60, 62, 64 and liquid passage 66, the openings of which are located insurface 50 of support 28. Specifically, the support 28 includes a firstintegrated operation air line 60 that is used for a short stroke of thevalve stem 38 for releasing a relatively lower volume of fluid. Thesupport 28 also includes a second integrated operation air line 62 thatis used for a long stroke of the valve stem 38 for releasing arelatively higher volume of fluid. Further, the support 28 includes anintegrated recirculation air line 64 for connection to the recirculationdevice 34. Liquid received by support 28 from the filling machine flowsthrough liquid line 66. Respective mating openings of respectivelymating integrated fluid lines 60 a, 62 a, 64 a and 66 a in the valvesubassembly 26, which direct the flow of air and liquid to theappropriate locations, are located in surface 51 of valve body 30. Whenvalve subassembly 26 is affixed to support 28, the respective pairs offluid passage openings in surfaces 50 and 51 are aligned, therebyplacing the associated fluid passages of the support 28 and the valvesubassembly 26 in fluid communication.

Surface 51 of the valve body 30 also includes integrated O-rings 68securely disposed in counter-bored annular grooves surrounding each ofopenings 60 a, 62 a, 64 a, and 66 a, for sealingly connecting togetheropenings 60 and 60 a, 62 and 62 a, 64 and 64 a, and 66 and 66 a, whenlatch 42 is locked. That is, when the valve body 30 is mounted to thesupport 28, the O-rings 68 seal about the respectively mated openings ofintegrated fluid lines 60, 60 a, 62, 62 a, 64, 64 a, 66 and 66 a. Thesealing and engagement of the O-rings 68 with abutting surface 50 of thesupport 28 occurs automatically as the latch 42 is moved to the lockedposition.

In addition to the selective attachability and detachability of thevalve subassembly 26 to support 28, it is beneficial to be able toaccess many of the inner working components within the valve subassembly26 for servicing. One of the items that often becomes worn is the valvestem 38. The subject invention includes a unique process to remove andreplace the valve stem 38. In particular, with reference to FIGS. 12-15,the exit cone 36 is removable from the valve body 30. Once the exit cone36 is removed, the user actuates a quick release mechanism 70 (see FIGS.2, 14 and 15) to release the valve stem 38. The quick release mechanism70 is accessible through an opening 71 in mount 72 of valve subassembly26. The quick release mechanism 70 preferably includes a sliding latchas disclosed in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2007/0113917, the complete disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference. Upon re-installation of the valve stem38 into the valve body 30, inserted first or terminal end 73 of valvestem 38 will often engage an interior component of the valve body 30,which inhibits the assembler's ability to fully engage the valve stem 38with the quick release mechanism 70. In order to ensure properengagement, a push pin 74 is provided. The push pin 74 is coupled to thequick release mechanism 70 and extends through the actuator 32. A useractuates the push pin 74 to move the quick release mechanism 70 downwardand into engagement with the terminal end 73 of valve stem 38. Once thevalve stem 38 is securely installed in the valve body, the exit cone 36can then be easily re-installed.

The removal and re-installation of the exit cone 36 is also done in aunique manner. Turning to FIGS. 16-19, the particulars of the removaland securing of the exit cone 36 are now discussed. The valve body 30includes at least one and preferably a pair of holes 88 for receiving apost or posts 90 (see FIGS. 3 and 13-15) on the exit cone 36 to alignthe exit cone 36 with the valve body 30. To secure the exit cone 36 tothe valve body 30, a rectangular, frame-like neck slide 76 is providedon an underside of the valve body 30, the exit cone being inserted intothe central aperture or void defined by the frame, with exit cone posts90 being received in valve body holes 88, to control the exit coneinstalled position.

As best shown in FIGS. 24A-24C, the neck slide 76 includes two pairs ofaligned recesses or slots 78 on each opposite lateral side of the neckslide 76, each recess or slot being open towards and partially definingthe neck slide central aperture. As shown best in FIG. 24B, each lateralside, and one end, of the neck slide 76 is substantially C-shaped incross section, defining a first, upper flange 77 and a second, lowerflange 79 with a groove 80 extending between the flanges 77, 79 andbeing open to the central aperture. On each lateral side of neck slide76, each flange 77, 79 includes a pair of slots or recesses 78, withcorresponding slots or recesses 78 in the flanges 77, 79 being aligned.Flanges 77, 79 and groove 80 are included in the end of the neck slide76 opposite the end that is provided with handle 81. Handle 81 is forgrasping to slide the neck slide relative to the valve body 30 betweenlocked and unlocked positions.

Valve body 30 includes tabs 83 a that, in the neck slide locked andfirst unlocked positions, are disposed in groove 80 and align with andoverlap portions of first, upper flange 77 on the opposite lateral sidesof the neck slide 76. Valve body 30 also includes a tab 83 b that, inthe neck slide locked and first unlocked positions, is disposed ingroove 80 and aligns with and overlaps first, upper flange 77 at the endof neck slide 76. Thus, in the neck slide locked and first unlockedpositions, neck slide 76 is retained to valve body 30.

As described further herein below, the neck slide second unlockedposition is achieved by further sliding the neck slide 76 beyond itsfirst unlocked position and further away from its locked position. Inthe neck slide second unlocked position valve body tabs 83 a, which aresized substantially equal to the width of the slots or recesses 78 ofthe neck slide 76, become aligned with the slots or recesses 78, andvalve body tab 83 b is positioned such that it is clear of and no longeroverlaps neck slide first, upper flange 77. Installation and removal ofthe neck slide 76 to and from the valve body 30 is facilitated in theneck slide second unlocked position, with tabs 83 a passing throughslots or recesses 78, and tab 83 b passing with clearance past first,upper flange 77. Installation and removal of neck slide 76 to and fromvalve body 30 is respectively done prior to installation of exit cone 36to and removal of exit cone 36 from valve body 30. That is, installationand removal of neck slide 76 to and from valve body 30 is done when exitcone 36 is not attached to the valve body 30 or the neck slide 76. Thus,the exit cone 36 may be removed and replaced, as may valve stem 38,without disassembly of the neck slide 76 from the valve body 30.

Exit cone 36 includes tabs 83 c and 83 d that, in the neck slide lockedposition, are disposed in groove 80 and align with and overlap second,lower flanges 79 on the opposite lateral sides and end of the neck slide76. In the neck slide locked position, exit cone 36 is retained to valvebody 30 through the interengagement of neck slide 76 with tabs 83 a-83d.

With the neck slide 76 in its first unlocked position, exit cone 36 isinserted into, or removed from, an opening in the bottom end of thevalve body 30 through the central aperture of the neck slide 76, withexit cone posts 90 being received in, or withdrawn from, valve bodyholes 88. In the neck slide first unlocked position, exit cone tabs 83 care aligned with the slots or recesses 78 in second, lower flange 79 ofthe neck slide 76, and exit cone tab 83 d is clear of second, lowerflange 79, permitting installation and removal of exit cone 36 to andfrom the valve body 30, with tabs 83 c, which are sized shorter than thelength of the neck slide slots or recesses 78, passing through the slotsor recesses 78, and tab 83 d passing with clearance past second, lowerflange 79. Tabs 83 c on the exit cone 36 are ramped to provide a wedgingeffect as they engage the second flange 79 as the neck slide 76 is movedfrom its first unlocked position to its locked position. In the lockedposition, the exit cone 36 tabs 83 c and 83 d are disposed in groove 80and slidably engaged with second, lower flange 79.

Thus, the interplay between the tabs 83 a, 83 b on the valve body 30,the tabs 83 c, 83 d on the exit cone 36, the slots or recesses 78 on theneck slide 76, and the groove 80 in the neck slide 76 allow the exitcone 36 to be selectively removed from and re-secured to the valve body30 without removing the neck slide 76. With the exit cone 36 removed,valve stem 38 may be also removed and replaced, without removing theneck slide 76 from the valve body 30, the valve stem 38 passing throughthe central aperture of the neck slide frame. The neck slide 76,however, can also be removed from the valve body 30 for servicing ifnecessary.

The particular series of operations for the neck slide 76 are nowdiscussed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 16-19. Inparticular, as shown in FIG. 16, the neck slide 76 is held into itslocked position on the valve body 30 through the use of a set screw 82and a lock pin 84. The set screw 82 and lock pin 84 abuttingly engageopposing longitudinal ends of one of the slots or recesses 78 in thefirst, upper flange 77 to lock the neck slide 76 into its lockedposition. Ordinarily, an exit cone 36 would be disposed within thecentral aperture of neck slide 76, but is omitted from FIG. 16 forclarity. As noted above, in the neck slide locked position, tabs 83 a,83 b of valve body 30 (as wells as tabs 83 c, 83 d of omitted exit cone36) are disposed in neck slide groove 80, and overlapped by portions ofthe respective adjacent neck slide flange 77 (and 79). The relativedistance traveled between neck slide 76 and valve body 30 in moving toeach of its unlocked positions from the locked position is indicated bythe scale 87 shown in FIGS. 16-19, on which the neck slide lockedposition corresponds to indicated position “0”, the neck slide firstunlocked position corresponds to indicated position “1”, and the neckslide second unlocked position corresponds to indicated position “2”.

A push button 86 is in engagement with the lock pin 84 and uponactuation of the push button 86, such as shown in FIG. 17, the lock pin84 moves out of position with in the slot or recess 78. The neck slide76 can then slide relative to the valve body 30 to distance D1 from itslocked position shown in FIG. 17, to its first unlocked position, bymoving neck slide 76 in the direction of arrow 85 to the first unlockedposition, as shown in FIG. 18. As noted above, the tabs 83 c, 83 d onthe exit cone 36 are orientated and sized such that tabs 83 c can passthrough the slots 78 in second, lower flange 79, and tab 83 d can passwith clearance past flange 79 at the end of neck slide 76, as exit coneposts 90 are received in and withdrawn from holes 88 in the valve body30 during installation and removal of the exit cone 36. This alignmentand positioning of the exit cone 36 can only be accomplished when theneck slide 76 is in the first unlocked position shown in FIG. 18. Theneck slide 76 does not detach from the valve body 30 when in the firstunlocked position shown in FIG. 18, as the tabs 83 a on the valve body30 are larger than tabs 83 c and are not fully aligned with the slots78. Moreover, in the first unlocked position, valve body tab 83 b isstill disposed in groove 80 and partially engaged with first, upperflange 77 at the end of neck slide 76.

The set screw 82 is secured to the valve body 30 within one of slots orrecesses 78 in first, upper flange 77, and prevents the neck slide 76from sliding past its first unlocked position shown in FIG. 18 by itshead abutting on the edge of flange 77 defining an end of that recess 78in which set screw 82 is disposed. After the exit cone 36 is placed intoposition, the neck slide 76 can be slid back into its locked position inwhich tabs 83 c, 83 d become disposed in groove 80 and engage second,lower flange 79. As the neck slide 76 moves back to the original, lockedposition, the lock pin 84 automatically re-engages the slot or recess 78to re-secure the neck slide 76 in the locked position shown in FIG. 16.The lock pin 84 is continuously biased against the interior edge offlange 77, as by spring 89 which tends to move lock pin 84 into therecess 78 once the neck slide it returned to the locked position.

With reference now to FIG. 19, with the removal of set screw 82, theneck slide 76 can be further slid relative to the valve body 30 in thedirection of arrow 85 to a distance D2 from its locked position bymoving neck slide 76 to its second unlocked position, as shown in FIG.19. As noted above, the neck slide 76 is removed from or installed ontothe valve body 30 in the second unlocked position, with exit cone 36removed from the assembly. In the second unlocked position, tabs 83 a onthe valve body are positioned to pass through the slots 78 in first,upper flange 77, and tab 83 b is positioned to pass with clearance pastflange 77 at the end of neck slide 76, during installation and removalof the neck slide 76 relative to the valve body 30. The installation andremoval of the neck slide from the valve body can only be accomplishedwhen the neck slide 76 is in the second unlocked position shown in FIG.19. After re-installation of the neck slide, the set screw 82 isre-installed with the neck slide positioned at its first unlockedposition, and exit cone 36 is then re-installed. The neck slide 76 canthen be slid back into its locked position, with lock pin 84automatically re-engaging the slot or recess 78 to re-secure the neckslide 76 in the locked position.

As shown in FIGS. 20A-20B, one or more tension plugs 92 can be lockedinto the exit cone 36. In particular, the tension plug is preferablyformed of a polymeric material and includes a unique configuration forsnap fitting into a groove within the exit cone 36.

FIGS. 21A-21B disclose further detail of the configuration of the stemtip 40 disposed at the second end of the valve stem 38. This particularconfiguration of the valve stem 38 seals an interior chamber of thevalve body 30 in an up position.

FIG. 22 discloses a transparent view of the actuator 32. The actuator 32includes a number of components for actuating the valve stem 38 torelease or seal the discharge of fluid. This particular embodiment ofthe actuator 32 includes two different operational strokes such that theactuator 32 includes a pair of independently operable diaphragms 94. Aspindle 96 is provided within the actuator 32 for providing therequisite movement to the valve stem 38. The spindle 96 includes aportion of the quick release mechanism 70.

Turning to FIG. 23, the recirculation device 34 is shown in greaterdetail. The recirculation device 34 includes a spring-biased plunger 98for releasing or restricting the flow of fluid. Although not required,the filling valve assembly disclosed in the Figures is designed tocontinuously recirculate fluid even when fluid is not being dischargedout of the exit cone 36. Recirculating filling valves of various typeshave been previously used in the industry in a number of applicationsinclude the filling of fluids at elevated temperatures.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. It isnow apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications andvariations of the present invention are possible in light of the aboveteachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described.

1. A filling valve assembly comprising: a support adapted for beingoperably fixed to a filling machine and through which liquid is conveyedfrom the filling machine; and a valve subassembly interchangeablyattached to said support, the valve subassembly and support havingintegrated fluid passages in fluid communication when said valvesubassembly is attached to said support, at least a portion of theliquid received by said support from the filling machine being conveyedto said valve subassembly, at least a portion of the liquid received bysaid valve subassembly from said support being selectively dispensedfrom said valve subassembly; wherein said fluid passages of said supportand said valve subassembly are connected through fluid openings locatedin respective interfacing surfaces of said valve subassembly and saidsupport, when said valve subassembly is attached to said support.
 2. Thefilling valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said respective interfacingsurfaces are in abutting contact, said fluid openings located in saidsurfaces being aligned.
 3. The filling valve assembly of claim 2,wherein said interfacing surfaces contain a plurality of pairs ofaligned fluid openings, a fluid passage in said support being in fluidcommunication with a fluid passage in said valve subassembly througheach pair of said aligned fluid openings, liquid from the fillingmachine being conveyed to said valve subassembly through one pair ofsaid plurality of pairs of aligned fluid openings.
 4. The filling valveassembly of claim 3, wherein air is conveyed between said support andsaid valve assembly through at least one other pair of said plurality ofpairs of aligned fluid openings.
 5. The filling valve assembly of claim2, wherein one of said interfacing surfaces includes an annularcounterbore surrounding each said fluid opening therein, an o-ring beingdisposed in each said counterbore, said o-ring sealingly engaging theother of said interfacing surfaces when said valve subassembly isattached to said support, whereby a sealed connection is provided foreach pair of said plurality of pairs of aligned fluid openings.
 6. Thefilling valve assembly of claim 2, wherein said interfacing surfaces ofsaid valve subassembly and said support are substantially planar.
 7. Thefilling valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said valve subassembly andsaid support have respectively interengagable features through theinterengagement of which their said interfacing surfaces are positionedrelative to each other.
 8. The filling valve assembly of claim 7,wherein said respectively interengageable features comprise a lipprovided on one of said valve subassembly and said support, and a notchinto which said lip is received provided on the other of said valvesubassembly and said support.
 9. The filling valve assembly of claim 8,wherein said notch is a dovetail notch and said lip is a dovetail lip.10. The filling valve assembly of claim 7, wherein said respectivelyinterengageable features further comprise at least one pin provided onone of said valve subassembly and said support, and a slot into whichsaid at least one pin is received provided on the other of said valvesubassembly and said support.
 11. The filling valve assembly of claim 8,wherein said notch is provided with one of at least one pin and a slotinto which said pin is received, and said lip is provided with the otherof said at least one pin and said slot into which said pin is received.12. The filling valve assembly of claim 11, wherein said respectivelyinterengageable features further comprise a tab provided on one of saidvalve subassembly and said support, and a latch provided on the other ofsaid valve subassembly and said support, said tab being selectivelyengaged by said latch, said interfacing surfaces being held in operativeposition, and said valve subassembly being attached to said support,through the engagement of said latch and said tab.
 13. The filling valveassembly of claim 7, wherein said respectively interengageable featurescomprise a tab provided on one of said valve subassembly and saidsupport, and a latch provided on the other of said valve subassembly andsaid support, said tab being selectively engaged by said latch, saidinterfacing surfaces being held in operative position, and said valvesubassembly being attached to said support, through the interengagementof said latch and said tab.
 14. The filling valve assembly of claim 1,wherein said filling valve assembly is a recirculating filling valveassembly through which liquid is continually received by said valvesubassembly from said support, liquid received by said valve subassemblyfrom said support and not dispensed from said valve subassembly beingreturned to the filling machine.
 15. A filling valve assemblycomprising: a support fixed to a filling machine; and a valvesubassembly selectively mounted to said support, at least a portion ofthe liquid received by said valve subassembly from said filling machinebeing selectively dispensed from said valve subassembly when said valvesubassembly is mounted to said support and in fluid communication withthe filling machine; said valve subassembly and said support havingrespectively interengagable features through the interengagement ofwhich said valve subassembly is mounted to said support; saidrespectively interengageable features comprising a notch provided on oneof said valve subassembly and said support, and a lip into which saidnotch is received when said valve subassembly is mounted to said supportprovided on the other of said valve subassembly and said support; saidrespectively interengageable features further comprising a tab providedon one of said valve subassembly and said support, and a latch providedon the other of said valve subassembly and said support, said tab andsaid latch being selectively interengaged when said lip is received insaid notch, said valve subassembly being mounted to said support throughthe interengagement of said latch and said tab.
 16. The filling valveassembly of claim 15, wherein said notch is a dovetail notch and saidlip is a dovetail lip.
 17. The filling valve assembly of claim 15,wherein said respectively interengageable features further comprise atleast one pin provided on one of said valve subassembly and saidsupport, and a slot into which said at least one pin is receivedprovided on the other of said valve subassembly and said support, therelative positioning of said valve subassembly and said support beinglimited by the interengagement of said pin and said slot as said valvesubassembly is being mounted to said support.
 18. The filling valveassembly of claim 17, wherein said notch is provided with one of said atleast one pin and said slot into which said pin is received, and saidlip is provided with the other of said at least one pin and said slotinto which said pin is received.
 19. The filling valve assembly of claim15, wherein said tab is received into an opening in said latch, said taband said latch having respective engagement surfaces being selectivelyengaged after said tab is received into said latch opening whereby saidvalve subassembly is mounted to said support.
 20. The filling valveassembly of claim 19, wherein said tab and latch engagement surfaces areselectively slidably engaged.
 21. The filling valve assembly of claim20, wherein at least one of said tab and latch engagement surfaces is acam, sliding engagement between said tab and latch engagement surfacesdrawing said valve subassembly and said support together as said valvesubassembly is being mounted to said support.
 22. The filling valveassembly of claim 21, wherein said tab is provided on said valvesubassembly and said latch is provided on said support, said tab beingwedged between said latch and said support during sliding engagementbetween said tab and latch engagement surfaces as said valve subassemblyis being mounted to said support.
 23. The filling valve assembly ofclaim 15, wherein said latch is rotatable between an unlatched positionin which said latch and said tab are not interengaged, and a latchedposition in which said latch and said tab are interengaged when saidvalve subassembly is mounted to said support.
 24. The filling valveassembly of claim 15, wherein said support and said valve subassemblyinclude integral fluid passages that are in fluid communication whensaid valve subassembly is mounted to said support, liquid received bysaid valve subassembly from the filling machine being conveyed throughsaid integral fluid passages.
 25. The filling valve assembly of claim24, wherein said valve subassembly and said support include respectivelyinterfacing surfaces that are brought into abutting contact as saidvalve subassembly is being mounted to said support, said valvesubassembly interfacing surface including an opening to said valvesubassembly integral fluid passage, said support interfacing surfaceincluding an opening to said support integral fluid passage, saidopenings being aligned and sealably connected when said valvesubassembly is mounted to said support.
 26. The filling valve assemblyof claim 25, wherein said interfacing surfaces contain a plurality ofpairs of aligned fluid openings, a respective fluid passage in saidsupport being in fluid communication with a respective fluid passage insaid valve subassembly when said valve subassembly is mounted to saidsupport through each pair of said aligned fluid openings, liquid fromthe filling machine being conveyed to said valve subassembly through onepair of said plurality of pairs of aligned fluid openings.
 27. Thefilling valve assembly of claim 26, wherein air is conveyed between saidsupport and said valve subassembly through at least one other pair ofsaid plurality of pairs of aligned fluid openings.
 28. The filling valveassembly of claim 26, wherein one of said interfacing surfaces includesan annular counterbore surrounding each said fluid opening therein, ano-ring being disposed in each said counterbore, said o-ring sealinglyengaging the other of said interfacing surfaces when said valvesubassembly is mounted to said support, whereby a sealed connection isprovided for each pair of said plurality of pairs of aligned fluidopenings.
 29. The filling valve assembly of claim 26, wherein saidinterfacing surfaces of said valve subassembly and said support aresubstantially planar.
 30. The filling valve assembly of claim 24,wherein said filling valve assembly is a recirculating filling valveassembly through which liquid is continually received by said valvesubassembly from said support when said valve subassembly is mounted tosaid support, liquid received by said valve subassembly from saidsupport and not dispensed from said valve subassembly being returned tothe filling machine.
 31. A filling valve assembly comprising: a valvebody having an end and an opening at said valve body end; an elongatevalve stem disposed within said valve body, said valve stem having afirst end and an opposite second end, said valve stem being installedinto and removed from said valve body through said valve body opening,said valve stem being longitudinally movable within said valve bodyalong a central axis, the flow of a liquid received in said valve body,from said valve body through said valve body opening, being controlledin response to longitudinal movement of said valve stem; a neck slidedisposed at said valve body end and being laterally movable relative tothe central axis, said neck slide having selective locked and firstunlocked positions, said neck slide and said valve body havingrespectively interengaging features through which said neck slide isretained to said valve body in said neck slide locked and first unlockedpositions; and a removable exit cone disposed at said valve body end,said exit cone covering said valve body opening, with liquid flow fromsaid valve body through said valve body opening being through said exitcone, said neck slide and said exit cone having respectivelyinterengaging features through which said exit cone is retained to saidvalve body and said neck slide in said neck slide locked position, andsaid exit cone is separable from said valve body and neck slide in saidneck slide first unlocked position.
 32. The filling valve assembly ofclaim 31, wherein said neck slide has a central void through which saidvalve stem is inserted into or removed from the valve body opening withsaid exit cone removed from said filling valve assembly.
 33. The fillingvalve assembly of claim 32, wherein said neck slide forms asubstantially rectangular frame-like structure having a central aperturethrough which said valve stem is inserted into or removed from the valvebody opening with said exit cone removed from said filling valveassembly.
 34. The filling valve assembly of claim 32, wherein saidremovable exit cone, when installed, is disposed in said neck slidecentral void.
 35. The filling valve assembly of claim 31, wherein saidexit cone is provided with one of at least one post and a hole intowhich said post is received, and said valve body is provided with theother of said at least one post and said hole, the installed position ofsaid exit cone relative to said valve body being controlled by theinterengagement of said post and said hole.
 36. The filling valveassembly of claim 31, wherein said neck slide and said exit conerespectively interengaging features comprise: one of said exit cone andsaid neck slide having a flange extending laterally relative to thecentral axis, said flange having an edge in which is formed a recess;and the other of said exit cone and said neck slide having at least onetab extending laterally relative to the central axis; said flange andsaid tab having an overlapping relationship and being engaged in saidneck slide locked position, said recess and said tab being aligned insaid neck slide first unlocked position wherein said tab and said flangeare not in overlapping relationship and said tab may be passed throughsaid recess, whereby said exit cone may be removed from and installedonto said valve body in said neck slide first unlocked position.
 37. Thefilling valve assembly of claim 31, wherein said neck slide and saidvalve body respectively interengaging features comprise: one of saidneck slide and said valve body having a flange extending laterallyrelative to the central axis; and the other of said neck slide and saidvalve body having at least one tab extending laterally relative to thecentral axis; said flange and said tab having an overlappingrelationship and being engaged in and between said neck slide locked andfirst unlocked positions.
 38. The filling valve assembly of claim 37,wherein said neck slide has a selective second unlocked position, saidneck slide being separable from said valve body in said neck slidesecond unlocked position, and wherein said flange has an edge in whichis formed a recess; said recess and said tab being aligned in said neckslide second unlocked position wherein said tab and said flange are notin overlapping relationship and said tab may be passed through saidrecess, whereby said neck slide may be removed from and installed ontosaid valve body in said neck slide second unlocked position.
 39. Thefilling valve assembly of claim 31, wherein said neck slide has aselective second unlocked position, said neck slide being separable fromsaid valve body in said neck slide second unlocked position; and whereinsaid neck slide and said valve body respectively interengaging featurescomprise: said neck slide having a pair of opposed first, upper flangesslidably engaging said valve body and extending laterally relative tothe central axis; said valve body having at least one pair of opposedtabs extending laterally outward relative to the central axis; saidfirst, upper flanges and said pair of opposed valve body tabs having anoverlapping relationship and being engaged in and between said neckslide locked and first unlocked positions; wherein said pair of first,upper flanges have laterally inner edges in which are formed a pair ofopposed first recesses, each said first recess and a said valve body tabbeing aligned in said neck slide second unlocked position wherein saidvalve body tabs and said first, upper flanges are not in an overlappingrelationship and said valve body tabs may be passed through said firstrecesses, whereby said neck slide may be removed from and installed ontosaid valve body in said neck slide second unlocked position; and whereinsaid neck slide and said exit cone respectively interengaging featurescomprise: said neck slide having a pair of opposed second, lower flangesseparated along the central axis from substantially parallel with saidfirst, upper flanges; said exit cone having at least one pair of opposedtabs extending laterally outward relative to the central axis; saidsecond, lower flanges and said pair of opposed exit cone tabs having anoverlapping relationship and being engaged in said neck slide lockedposition; wherein said pair of second, lower flanges have laterallyinner edges in which are formed a pair of opposed second recesses, eachsaid second recess and a said exit cone tab being aligned in said neckslide first unlocked position wherein said exit cone tabs and saidsecond, lower flanges are not in an overlapping relationship and saidexit cone tabs may be passed through said second recesses, whereby saidexit cone may be removed from and installed onto said valve body in saidneck slide first unlocked position.
 40. The filling valve assembly ofclaim 39, further comprising a lock pin resiliently biased into alocking position in one of said first recesses, and a removable fastenersecured to said valve body, a portion of said fastener being disposed insaid one of said first recesses, said lock pin and said fastener portionbeing respectively located at and in abutting contact withlongitudinally opposite first and second ends of said one of said firstrecesses in said neck slide locked position, movement of said neck slidefrom its locked position being prevented by abutment of said lock pinand said first recess end; and wherein said neck slide is moveable fromits locked position to its first unlocked position when said lock pinmoved out of said recess against said biasing force, further movement ofsaid neck slide from its first unlocked position to its second unlockedposition being prevented by abutment of said fastener portion and saidfirst recess end; and wherein said neck slide is moveable from its firstunlocked position to its second unlocked position when said fastener isremoved from said valve body.
 41. The filling valve assembly of claim31, wherein said filling valve assembly is a recirculating filling valveassembly into which liquid is continually received from a source ofliquid, liquid received by said valve assembly body and not flowingthrough said valve body opening being returned to the source of liquid.